Regions Hospital President and Ceo announces Retirement

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - HealthPartners today announced that Regions Hospital President and CEO Brock Nelson will retire at the end of 2014. Megan Remark, a HealthPartners specialty care leader who has been with the organization for almost 20 years, has been named his successor.

"Brock has led Regions through an era of tremendous change, setting a clear, strategic vision that has produced tremendous growth and improved quality and experience for patients," said Mary Brainerd, president and CEO, HealthPartners. "Megan will continue that tradition."

Nelson started at Regions in 2003 after almost 20 years as CEO of Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, beginning at Children's Hospital in St. Paul and 10 years as CEO of the combined organization, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. During his tenure at Regions, the hospital has grown to become a destination hospital for elective specialty care, including cardiology, neurology, orthopaedics and oncology - and now has the highest market share of hospitals in the east metro. Regions has also bolstered core services, such as burn and trauma care, that are vital to its designation as Level 1 Trauma Center.

Opening a new 100-bed inpatient mental health facility on its campus in 2012.

Being named one of the 66 safest hospitals in American by AARP The Magazine.

Earning awards from Leapfrog as one of the best hospitals in the nation for quality and value.

Recognition as a "Great Place to Work" by Mpls.-St. Paul Business Journal, the Star Tribune and the Minnesota Hospital Association.

"The people who work at Regions and care for patients and families, at what is often the most difficult times in their lies, is what I am most proud of - that I have had the opportunity and good fortune to work with such a great team," said Nelson. "We have done a lot of good things at Regions, and the hospital is now a top performer nationally in patient experience and quality. That will continue with Megan."

Remark, 47, joined HealthPartners in 1995 and currently is a member of the Regions senior leadership team. She has spent the last 10 years leading the HealthPartners Specialty Care Division, including several major initiatives such as the development of the HealthPartners Specialty Centers, HealthPartners Cancer Care Centers and the Regions Hospital Breast Center. She has been recognized as a leader in the Twin Cities community, receiving the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal "40 under 40" award in 2008 and Industry Leader award in 2012.

Prior to joining HealthPartners in 1995, Remark was a clinic administrator for Aspen Medical Group. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Utah. She has a Master's in Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management.

During the next six months, Remark will work with Nelson to transition into her role as president and CEO. She will officially start in her new position on Jan. 1, 2015.

Photos available upon request.

About Regions Hospital
Regions Hospital is part of HealthPartners, the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organization in the nation with a mission to improve health and well-being in partnership with members, patients and the community. Regions Hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center serving adults and children in Minnesota and western Wisconsin for more than 140 years. As a private, non-profit teaching hospital, Regions Hospital provides outstanding care in women's health, cardiology, oncology, surgery, orthopaedics, neuroscience, burn, emergency care, mental illness and more. For more information, visit regionshospital.com.